NPP member Akosua Manu has criticised media personalities for interviewing people facing sexual abuse allegations without adequately examining the claims against them.
She said some interviews risked giving the accused an opportunity to defend themselves publicly without asking questions about earlier complaints or the handling of reports from alleged victims.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Manu questioned the approach taken by media influencers and panelists who had interviewed Obuasi Senior High Technical School headmaster Zakaria Abdulai.
“Shame on media influencers or panelists or whatever you want to call them who tend to call him and do interviews,” she said.
Manu argued that interviews should examine whether similar allegations had emerged at schools where the headmaster previously worked, rather than focusing only on his claim that journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni was seeking to humiliate him.
She also warned against public discussions that describe alleged rape incidents in ways that could distress victims and their families or discourage them from pursuing complaints.
“When you hear how they narrate the ordeals of rape victims with excitement, with adjectives that even make the families of the victim feel it is pointless to even pursue this,” she said.
Manu said giving people accused of sexual misconduct a platform was not inherently wrong, but argued that interviews should not become an opportunity to dismiss allegations or undermine complainants.
She also criticised attempts to blame alleged victims, saying a person’s background or previous experiences did not justify sexual abuse.
“You do not have a right to abuse,” she said.
Manu called on journalists to ask questions that establish whether complaints had been made before, what action was taken and whether authorities had adequately protected the students involved.
She said responsible coverage should focus on the allegations, the evidence and institutional accountability, while preserving the principle that the accused is entitled to due process.
